• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.488-496
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• 2019

This study investigated if the proper pressure level on the wrist tendon area and muscle area of the lower arm are within the same range by examining the responses of blood flow and subjective evaluation. Subjects consisted of 18 males in their 20s, and the experimental bands were custom-made by applying size measurements of each subject. In the experiment, a total of 5 steps were selected by reducing 10 (Step 1) to 50 (Step 5)% from the original body size in the circumferential direction. Blood flow was measured with a sensor attached to the tip of the finger inside the right hand while sitting in a chair for 15 minutes. Blood velocity began to increase (0.82 kPa) when the wrist circumference around tendon area was reduced by 20% (Step 2) and reached its maximum (1.72 kPa) at Step 4. However, the preferred subjective pressure was 1.36 kPa, which was less than the maximum pressure value of 1.72 kPa for Step 4. Blood velocity began to increase when pressure on the muscle area was 1.38 kPa and reached its maximum at 2.16 kPa; however, the most preferred clothing pressure was 1.71 kPa. The results of this study showed that the appropriate pressure level was higher in the muscle area than in the wrist tendon of the lower arm and indicated that graduated compression is favorable.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2021

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal conditions of the upper extremity with pain and wrist extension disability. The tendon which is most affected is the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). Previous study evaluated the effect of taping technique on patient with LE, but no study investigated the changes of electromyography (EMG) on ECRB when using dynamic taping (DT) technique. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DT technique using dynamic tape on muscle activity of ECRB during wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion. Methods: Twenty-one healthy subjects volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were instructed to perform wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion without and with DT on origin area of ECRB. Wrist isometric extension was performed at 75%, 50% and 25% (%maximal voluntary contraction force), respectively, based on maximum contraction force. Isotonic extension and flexion test used dumbbell. EMG data was collected from ECRB. Results: EMG of ECRB were statistically significant decrease in wrist isotonic extension after DT (p < 0.05). Significant increase in wrist isometric extension during 25% and 50% force task (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study applied DT technique to suppress the wrist extensor muscles in 21 healthy adults in their twenties. Change in muscle activity was compared in the ECRB muscle during wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion task. Based on the results of this study, the DT technique applied to the wrist and forearm area can reduce the load on the wrist extensors when the wrist performs various movements during daily life movements or repetitive tasks, and by using these effects, excessive stress is applied to tennis elbow patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.139-146
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study is to provide basic information to create an efficient training program to improve shoulder stability and function in patients with injuries and in patients having undergone surgery of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, which have a relatively high incidence of injury in shoulder joint disease. Further, independent activities of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles were investigated according to forearm rotation and the neutral and lateral rotation postures. Methods: The activities of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles were measured using surface electromyography in 22 healthy adults in Busan, and isokinetic muscle strength measurement equipment was used to measure muscle strength during shoulder lateral rotation. The subjects performed lateral rotation of the shoulder in three different forearm postures (neutral, supine, prone) to measure shoulder muscle activity and lateral rotation strength. Results: The independent activity ratio (% Isolation) of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles during lateral rotation of the shoulder joint demonstrated a significant difference (p<0.05) according to the change in forearm posture. Conclusion: The supraspinatus muscle showed independent activity ranging from highest to lowest in the order of pronation, neutral, and supination of the forearm, while the independent activity of the infraspinatus muscle ranged from highest to lowest in the order of neutral, supination, and pronation of the forearm. Therefore, the most active forearm positions for the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles are pronation and neutral, respectively.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.106-116
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• 2022

Background: Shoulder external rotation exercises are commonly used to improve the stabilizing ability of the infraspinatus. However, during exercise, excessive activation of the posterior deltoid compared to the infraspinatus causes the humeral head to move anteriorly in an abnormal position. Many researchers have emphasized selective activation of the infraspinatus during shoulder external rotation exercise. Objects: This study aims to delineate the optimal exercise method for selective activation of infraspinatus by investigating the muscle activities of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid according to the four shoulder exercise methods and two forearm positions. Methods: Thirty healthy individuals participated in this study. The participants were instructed to perform shoulder external rotation exercises following four exercise methods: sitting external rotation (SIER); standing external rotation at 90° abduction (STER); prone external rotation at 90° abduction (PRER); side-lying external rotation (SLER), and two forearm positions (neutral, supinated). The electromyography (EMG) signal amplitude was measured during each exercise. Surface EMG signals were recorded from the posterior deltoid, infraspinatus, and biceps brachii. Results: EMG results of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid in PRER, were significantly higher than that of the other exercises (p < 0.01). The EMG ratio (infraspinatus/posterior deltoid) in SIER was significantly higher than that of the other exercises. EMG activation of the posterior deltoid in SIER, PRER, and SLER was significantly higher in neutral than in supinated (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the EMG of the infraspinatus in SIER was significantly higher in neutral than in supinated (p < 0.01). The EMG ratio (infraspinatus/ posterior deltoid) in SIER was significantly higher in neutral than in supinated (p < 0.05.) Contrarily EMG ratios in PRER and SLER were significantly higher in supinated than in neutral (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results show that clinicians should consider these exercise methods and forearm positions when planning shoulder external rotation exercises for optimal shoulder rehabilitation.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.482-487
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in wrist extensor activity, pain, and grip strength before and after wearing a forearm strap in their 20s who complained of chronic lateral epicondylitis for more than 6 weeks. As a result of the study, there was an increase in wrist extensor activity on both the injured and non-injured sides after wearing the forearm strap, but this was not statistically significant. There was a statistically decrease in pain after wearing the forearm strap on the injured side, and a statistically significant increase in grip strength on both. After applying the forearm strap with pad, there was an increase in muscle activity of ECRB (extensor carpi radialis brevis) on both the injured and non-injured sides. This is thought to be due to the strap pad acting as a compressive force, reducing pain, and increasing muscle recruitment ability due to stability in wrist extension. However, considering that the number of study subjects is insufficient to generalize the results, additional supplementary research is deemed necessary.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.141-150
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the shape and attached position of E-textile-based stretchable sensors on motion-sensing performance and to investigate the requirements for the optimal structure of clothes for sensing limb motions. An experimental garment was prepared with different sensor shapes, and attachment positions. A child subject, wearing the experimental garment, performed arm and leg bending and extension motions at $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$ and $120^{\circ}$ motion angles, at a rate of 60 deg/sec. The changes in voltage triggered by the stretching and contracting of the fabric-sensor were measured, and an acceleration sensor was utilized to verify that the experimental motions were correctly performed. Dummy arms and legs of a child were manufactured to perform an identical test, in order to compare the dummy results with the actual human body experiment results. The analysis showed that the reproducibility and reliability of the rectangular sensor, showing uniform and stable were higher than those of the boat-shaped sensor, in both the dummy and the human body experiments. The attachment position of the sensor was more reproducible and reliable when placed on 4 cm below the elbow and knee joints in the dummy test, when placed in the joints of the elbow and knee, in children experiment. The appropriate shapes and attached positions of the sensor for sensing the motions were analyzed, and the results proved that motion-sensing of the human body is possible by utilizing flexible fabric-sensors integrated into clothes.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2006

The small octopus(Octopus minor), a species in the cephalopod class spawns the fewer eggs compared with its relatives such as Octopus vulgaris and Octopus ocellatus and exerts special efforts in nursing eggs hiding in the deep cave beneath the mud flat. Correspondingly, its embryogenic process had been hardly observed. In this study, we induced the small octopus to spawn its eggs in the artificial spawning tube and to nurse the developing embryos under the periodical observation. The early embryogenic change in the fertilized eggs was appearance of blastodisc on the animal pole at 4 days after spawning. A mass of rudiments of several organs developed in the middle of the yolk sac at 28-th day and it moved gradually toward the animal pole. At 38 days after spawning, two eyes appeared on the head and the trunk with heart developed on the apical part of the yolk sac. At 45-th day of embryonic development, the trunk and head occupied a half of the egg capsule and consequently the yolk sac was reduced to a half of its original size. Two eyes became prominent at the bottom of the trunk with several spots at day 60. Embryonic development was completed at about 80 days after spawning and the arms stuffed the lower half of egg capsule. The young fry squeezed out of the egg capsules with their long and slender arms first and mantles later. Soon after hatching, it swam actively and squirted ink.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.158-162
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• 2018

Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the most intractable complications after surgery. Patients suffer from physical impairment, as well as psychological depression. Moreover, a recent study revealed that cellulitis significantly increased the risk of BCRL, and cellulitis has been suggested as a risk factor of BCRL development. We describe a patient treated with stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) without steroid for relief of symptoms and reduction of the arm circumference of breast cancer-related infectious lymphedema in a month. We measured the arm circumference at four locations; 10 cm and 5 cm above and below the elbow crease, numeric rating scale (NRS) score, lymphedema and breast cancer questionnaire (LBCQ) score on every visit to the pain clinic. A serial decrease of the arm circumference and pain score were observed after second injection. In the middle of the process, cellulitis recurred, we performed successive SGBs to treat infectious lymphedema. The patient was satisfied with the relieved pain and swelling, especially with improved shoulder range of motion as it contributes to better quality of life. This case describes the effects of SGB for infectious BCRL patients. SGB could be an alternative or ancillary treatment for infectious BCRL patients.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.567-573
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether or not there was artifact when the upper limb could not be lifted to the top of the head during multi-detector computed tomography(MDCT) scans of the chest and abdomen. Contrast radiography of the human and chest phantom was performed with 128channal MDCT. Under the same conditions(120 kVp, 110 mAs, standard algorithm)both hands lifted up and put down each time in the human experiment. In the chest phantom experiment, the radiography was carried out when the upper limb phantom was adjusted at a certain distance(0, 3, 7 cm) from the chest phantom. Subsequently, the values of Noise, CT number, SNR, and CNR were measured in the field of concern. The noise value of fat, rib, and muscle increased when the arm was lifted in humans(0.79, 47.8, 27%). Furthermore, when the upper limb was lowered, the noise value of muscle and lung increased in the phantom(31.2, 9.4%). In addition, the noise value of the muscles and lung decreased by 5, 25.12% and 5.6, 15.35% as the upper limb moved about 0,3,7cm away from the chest. When the chest and abdominal radiography were performed, in the case of the presence of other parts outside the inspection area, the probability of artifact was minimal while the distance was more than 3cm away from the upper limb to the chest and abdomen.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.435-444
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• 2011

The development of ubiquitous healthcare technology and portable electronic devices requires new energy sources for providing continuous power supply. This study particularly focuses on an energy harvesting system capable of charging energy using clothing. One of the sources for energy harvesting is heat energy, which is the difference in temperature of the body and the surrounding environment. In this study, the skin temperature distribution of the human body was empirically measured to determine the basic materials needed to develop heat energy harvesting clothing. The distribution of skin temperature in different sections of the human body was analyzed. The analysis found that the skin temperature of the upper body was higher than that of the lower body. The area close to the heart with a lot of blood flow was especially high. The skin temperature of the back side of the body, such as the back of the neck, upper back, and waist, was higher than that of the front side of the body. As for the arms, the skin temperature of the upper arms was higher than that of the lower arms, and the skin temperature of the back side of the arms was lower than that of the front and the flank side of the arms. The difference in the average skin temperature and the environment temperature was highest at the back of the neck, and thereby is considered to be the most appropriate section to integrate the heat energy harvesting function and structure. The following sections had the next highest difference in values, listed in descending order: the back of the waist, the sides of shoulders, the front chest area, the front side of the upper arms, and the front abdomen. Based on the skin temperatures of the different sections of the human body, this study outlines the basic guidelines for developing heat energy harvesting clothing.